Description of Historic Place

Located in a remote arctic area, Module Train B is a one-storey, long, narrow structure composed of pre-fabricated modules that sit on open timber deck platform foundations, with a flat, ribbed roof laid end to end and a long gabled roof extension with a matching eave height and a similar width to the original module train, dormitory and common-room modules display double windows and service modules, such as the laundry room are served by a single window. The exterior of the building is largely clad in metal and there is a mechanical conduit bridge linking Module Train B and Module Train A. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Module Train B is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Module Train B at FOX-M main station, provides one of the best illustrations associated with the continental air-defence programs during the Cold War, the opening of the Canadian Arctic to Federal Government programs and services, the growth of Hall Beach, an important Arctic community, and its role in establishing and maintaining a Canadian military presence in the Canadian Arctic. As part of one of four main stations constructed for the DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line, Module Train B was part of a joint US-Canada effort to monitor Arctic airspace through an innovative radar and radio system designed to provide advance warning to North American military authorities of a possible air attack from the Soviet Union. FOX-M also served as a regional communications hub, supply center and administrative base for 8 to 10 auxiliary and intermediate stations in the area and Module Train B provided accommodation for personnel required to fulfill the station’s role as a regional hub.

Architectural Value
Module Train B is a very good example of a functional military structure. Its design reveals a unified design concept that resulted from a skillfully planned, expertly executed and highly funded building program. It is distinguished by its module construction technology, its proximity to Module Train A and unique footprint. Its high quality materials and test pre-fabricated components are part of a design program that responded directly to both military considerations and to the remote Arctic location of the site. Its raised platform foundation and the gravel pad in the building area also demonstrates a competent engineering solution for building in permafrost conditions that set a standard for construction across the Canadian North.

Environmental Value
Module Train B’s location in the operation sector of the FOX-M DEW Line station strictly parallel to Module Train A, the radome and attached by a walkway, near two communications billboards is of strategic value in maintaining and establishing the technological and military character of the site in its military–industrial complex setting. Gravel pads serve as visual and functional boundaries for the building areas within the airfield and operations sectors of the station and huge corner reflectors at the edge of the operations sector contribute to the site’s historic communications function. The DEW Line station is well known in the adjacent community of Hall Beach and visitors to the hamlet are often treated to a visit to the station.

Sources: FOX-M, Hall Beach, Nunavut, Federal Heritage Building Report 99-021; Module Train ‘B’, FOX-M Station, Hall Beach, Nunavut, Heritage Character Statement, 99-021.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Module Train B should be respected. its one-storey, long, narrow footprint composed of 26 pre-fabricated modules each 7 metres long and 5 ½ metres wide with a flat ribbed roof laid end to end demonstrating its modular construction technology; its 23-metre long gable roof extension with a matching eave height and a similar width to the original module train; its exterior metal cladding and the size, form and spacing of door and window openings dictated by each modules function; the mechanical conduit bridge spanning between Module Train A and Module Train B; its open timber deck foundation raised about one and one-half meters above the ground level as a competent permafrost solution, building insulator and aid for circulation of snow reducing snowdrifts; its heating system designed to reduce fuel consumption by re-circulating heat generated by radar and communications equipment; the gravel pad as the primary landscape feature to provide a barrier between the buildings and the permafrost and to create a level surface for accessibility on the site.

The manner in which Module Train B establishes the technological and military character of the site in its military-industrial complex setting.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

Module Train 'B' (building B11A) was constructed in 1955-6 on the operations sector of the FOX-M main station of the former Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line. It was erected using standard DEW Line plans for modular buildings drawn by the New York architectural firm of LaPierre, Litchfield and Partners under the direction of the American engineering firm Western Electric Company, a subsidiary of Bell System. External modifications include the addition of a powerplant (known as the black module), added to the west end of the train in the 1970s; the replacement of windows and sills around 1985; and, the painting of the metal siding in the 1980s. Internal modifications have included the removal of half the interior doors located between the modules and the installation of a suspended ceiling in the living quarters. The building is currently used as living quarters for North Warning System staff. The Department of National Defence is the custodian of the building. See FHBRO Building Report 99-021.

Reasons for Designation

Module Train 'B' has been designated "Classified" because of its important historical associations, the qualities of its architectural design and its relationship to the environment in a heritage setting.

The primary historical theme identified for the building is its role in continental air-defence programs during the Cold War. As part of one of four main stations constructed for the DEW Line, Module Train 'B' was part of a joint US-Canada effort to monitor Arctic airspace through an innovative radar and radio system designed to provide advance warning to North American military authorities of a possible air attack from the Soviet Union. As one of four main stations along the DEW Line, FOX-M also served as a regional communications hub, supply centre and administrative base for 8 to 10 auxiliary and intermediate stations in the area. Module Train 'B' provided accommodation for personnel required to fulfill the station's role as a regional hub.

Secondary themes for the building are its contribution to the opening of the Canadian Arctic to programs and services delivered and managed by the federal government; its status as an example of innovative building technology in the Canadian Arctic; and its role in establishing and maintaining a Canadian military presence in the Canadian Arctic.

Module Train 'B' is also part of a military establishment that was a catalyst for the growth of an important Arctic community, namely Hall Beach.

Module Train 'B' exhibits the same competency of construction seen in other DEW Line station structures. Like Module Train 'A', however, it is distinguished by its module construction technology and its unique, train-like footprint. Its high-quality materials and tested pre-fabricated components are part of a design program that responded directly to both military considerations and to the remote Arctic location of the site. Its raised platform foundation and the gravel pad in the building area also demonstrate a competent engineering solution for building in permafrost conditions that set a standard for construction across the Canadian North.

FOX-M DEW Line station is distinguished from other former stations by its relative completeness in terms of the number of original structures that have remained on the site and the survival of the supporting engineering works such as the airfield. The FOX-M DEW Line station retains its technological and military appearance through: the arrangement and form of its buildings; the survival of the gravel pad that defines the two occupied sectors of the station; and the continuance of associated communications structures such as the radome and radar billboards.

Module Train 'B' is located in the operation sector of the FOX-M DEW Line station. The integrity of the historic relationship between Module Train 'B' and its immediate landscape continues. The building is adjacent to Module Train 'A'.

Module Train 'B', with its unusual form and direct connection to Module Train 'A', is of strategic value in contributing to the technological / military character of the site as a whole.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of Module Train ''B' resides in its form, construction and site relationships.

The one-storey structure was originally composed of 26 prefabricated modules, each 24 feet long and 18 feet wide with a flat, ribbed roof, laid end-to-end. The long, narrow footprint of the building is testimony to its modular construction technology. The long, narrow footprint should be respected. In the 1970s, a 75 foot long gabled roof extension with a matching eave height and a similar width to the original module train was added to the west end of the train sympathetically extending this footprint.

The configuration of the openings in each module is dictated by its original function. Dormitory and common-room modules are equipped with double windows, while service modules, such as the laundry room, are served by a single window. The exterior of the building is largely clad in metal siding although, in the 1980s, synthetic board siding replaced some of the original siding. The existing metal cladding reflects the original design constraints, future replacement should use the same material with a matching profile. The mechanical conduit bridge spanning between Module Train 'A' and Module Train 'B' reinforces the association of their operation functions and should be retained.

The foundation of Module Train 'B', like other heated buildings along the DEW Line, was engineered to reduce the amount of heat that could be transferred from the building to the permafrost ground. Each module is supported on an open timber deck raised about one and one-half metres above ground level. This competent permafrost solution helps insulate the heated building from the permafrost ground while allowing snow to circulate under the building, thereby reducing snow drifts. This original design feature of the deck structure with its open sides should be respected.

At the time of its construction, Module Train 'B' represented a competent solution for shelter in an extremely cold climate and remote location. The heating system was originally designed to reduce fuel consumption by recirculating heat generated by radar and communications equipment. Remnants of this system, such as pipes and valves, should be respected. The colour and appearance of the original finish should be respected using non-hazardous materials.

Module Train 'B' is located on a thick layer of gravel that covers the entire airfield sector of the DEW Line station. As the primary landscape feature, the gravel pad should be respected. Module Train 'B' is strictly aligned parallel to Module Train 'A' and is attached to it by a walkway; the walkway should be retained. This arrangement of buildings helps establish the military character of the station while the set of two module trains distinguishes the main station from other intermediate stations. Any further site development should respect the strict alignment and established character of remaining buildings on the station. Module Train 'B's contribution to the site is reinforced by its close proximity to the radome and communications billboards. The survival of the radome and the communications billboards will reinforce the heritage value of Module Train 'B' and the DEW Line station complex as a whole.


For further guidance, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice.